001algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Dismissing Carrie. Um, we're on agenda item number four, organization of the board, election officers with anticipated uh action with number one being election of the pres president. >> Mr. Chair, >> chair, sorry, chair. >> Is there a motion? I'd >> like to uh I'd like to n I'd like to open that discussion, right? And I'd like to nominate Denise Manari to be the chair of the East Windsor Board of Education. I do this because I believe she has um the attributes, the experience, and most importantly the commitment to facilitate and lead our board to accomplish the educational goals that we set. >> Is there a second?
002>> I'll second. >> Any discussion? >> Other nominations? >> Yeah, other nominations. Any nominations? You can tell I do this often. >> Any other nominations? >> Close nominations. >> Motion to close nomination. Second. There was a second. >> All in favor of closing nominations. >> This will be a group. It's okay. It's okay. We're in group experience. So nominations close. Any discussion? >> Those in favor? All those in favor? >> Let Patrick do that. >> Listen, you guys are rolling. You know what? >> Um, all in favor? >> I. >> Any opposed? Okay. Any abstensions? >> That seemed pretty sex across. Right. So, I guess I can just uh sign this over. Congratulations. I look forward to working with you in this new capacity. >> Thank you. Um I'll just stay here. Um we're on
003to election vice chair nom. >> It's not like a huge throng of people here. Um um I'm opening nominations for vice chair. Nominate Dorian Farmer. Second that motion made by Fran, seconded by Courtney. Any other nominations? Motion to close nominations is in order. So moved. Seconded by Meen, made by Gabby. Um, all those in favor of closing nominations. >> I It was easier when you were doing it and we just now I got to think the whole thing through. Uh, all those in favor of Norian Farmer as vice chair. >> I >> for the official vote. Are you marking that? We're good. No, I >> know Stephen votes unanimous. I haven't seen. >> Now we're on to election of a secretary. >> I nominate Brand Hill. >> A third. >> All right. So, who was
004>> We're going to give you a hard time. >> I did the second. >> Nomination. I did the second. Any other nominations? Motion to close nominations is in order. Make a motion to close the nomination. >> Seconded by Naren. All those in favor of Oh no. Um voting on closing nominations. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed abstensions. Okay. On to uh the vote on the secretary as free Neil for for secretary of the board. All those in favor? I >> opposed. You can vote. I'll try. Moren almost tried that. Um opposed. Nobody and no extensions, right? So that's unanimous again. This feels kind of funny. It'll take a little getting used to. Um thank you everybody for for um the vote of confidence. Hopefully we'll have a good two years. And it's two
005years, right? >> Yes. >> Um and um get a lot done. And at this point um the Rs and the D's are erased and we are all just one board. So um that's how um it's worked in the past and that's how we will continue to do it. >> Are there any added agenda items? >> We do not. Um, has everyone read the minutes of the November 12th meeting? If so, a um order the minutes make a motion to approve the minutes. >> Second motion made by Betsy, seconded by Courtney. Any discussion, revisions, corrections? All those in favor? I opposed extensions. Okay. Public participation. Uh there isn't any >> uh one. There's one remote. >> Oh, hello remote person. Would you like to um speak under public participation? >> No, thank you. I'm just listening
006in. >> Okay. Thank you. We're glad you're there. Okay, next is um report the student representative here elementary school. The Broadway Elementary School students participated in a meaningful and engaging Veterans Day celebration. We had many parent volunteers including several who are active military or veterans help us celebrate. Students learned about the significance of Veterans Day and the importance of honoring those who have served. Students took part in a variety of dance activities including a boot camp experience, creating dog tags and puppies and writing letters to veterans to express their appreciation. White table was present during all students also came together to form a living flag using pieces of color paper creating a powerful visual representation of unity and gratitude. In addition, classes sang patriotic songs to commemorate their day. Due to cold temperatures, the high
007winds or traditional mile races were postponed until Friday, November 14th. For middle school, Eastmen Middle School student council has been working has been hard at work collecting over 600 food items for the five corner cupboards. East Windsor's first select, Mr. Bowsa, joined us during our second student council breakfast to officially swear in our student council members. East Winter Middle School welcomed nine veterans who met with students to share their experiences. Our students asked thoughtful and engaging questions throughout their visits. Students also wrote heartfelt thank you notes to the patrons and participated in a variety of veterans day activities. For the high school on Tuesday, November 11th, East High School was proud to honor our local veterans. We were especially fortunate to welcome 15 local veterans into our classrooms where they share their experiences in service
008and what it means to be a veteran. Students had the opportunity to learn about different jobs in the military, what basic training is like, and many places our guests travel during their service careers. It was a wonderful chance to hear directly from local heroes and to learn from their examples of dedication, courage, and service. During the assembly, students took a leading role in reminding us of the true meaning of Veterans Day. Both the band and chorus guided by student leaders performed beautifully to honor the occasion. All involved demonstrated what it meant to show Panther pride, their dedication, respit and leadership were truly pride worth living. Thank you, Tim. Next is our upcoming meetings and events. U my husband saw this list and said, "Are you kidding?" He's the police commission. They don't have a list
009like that. So, it's very helpful. It is very helpful. Are there any questions on the list? >> I just wonder curriculum subcommittee. We're not meeting at all in in December. >> We typically do not certainly do that set up on meet. >> So let me talk to Sarah. >> Okay. >> That's fine. date. >> Oh, I guess I would ask is there a date that works better for a after we look at the uh the committees later on? Yeah, if there is a date that works best on the committee. >> Good. >> Thanks, Dar. >> Next is the Apologize. Can we um I believe does not the middle school have a concert in December? >> Yes. It's on there. >> Oh, I said the high school twice. I'm sorry. I apologize. >> Yeah, it's the
010middle school at the high school. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? >> No, but this is very helpful to have this. >> Yeah, it is. Um, the financial report, Ryan. >> So, uh, I put a little bit of a cover page in there. It's the It's essentially the same one that the finance subcommittee saw um and went through. Um as far as the FY25 audit update, uh I I wrote this just because there was a slight correction to the 2% fund that we had to make um based on a um an error that I discovered um uh from the a former employee. Um it's been corrected. it it got corrected before the uh the auditors um grabbed it, but it just it's a slight reduction in the 2% fund. Um overall the 2% fund is
011higher than what we had originally budgeted in the year. So like even though we're we're lower than the last time I updated you guys, it's still higher than what we had originally budgeted for the year. Um we did get a little bit of an update, too. Um I put in the last paragraph there that uh we were waiting for the best audit from the state. Um, I've been in contact with the gentleman at the state who does all that. Now, I actually just spoke to him again today. Um, just on some um some things to update in EFS. Um, it's really just um clarifying items for him. Uh, ironically, it's the same thing he pointed out last year. So, I'm um respectfully reminding him that this is the same thing. Um, so once that gets
012corrected, um, we should be good in EFS. Um, I have been talking to the auditors as well. um they're fine with all the the corrections. So there's, you know, kind of no real updates there. Everything seems like it should be on track to still be done on time. Um as far as 26 goes, um there's been a lot of recent changes, just trying to keep them updated in Munis. Um and really, uh a lot of my time recently has been working on the new year budget, like building that um grant updates and then just kind of working on early FY26 projection. Um, so we don't have any like big FY26 updates yet. Um, I don't know if anyone has specific questions. >> I really appreciate the cover letters. >> Oh yeah. No, >> easy to
013read. >> I will uh I'll be doing those. um finance subcommittee met two weeks ago and we went through everything um all the line item budget numbers and there was nothing that was jumping out at anybody um um and not quite sure when we're doing it. I keep getting confused. Um in the next couple of months um Ryan will be doing pretty as to where he forced to use those usually. >> Yeah, we'll do like the first >> It's early. Yes. Too early in the year to be doing that now. Um cuz this takes us just through October, right? >> Uh the one that you have in there. >> October. >> Yes. Yeah. >> There was nothing in nothing in our subcommittee to anything. So, I'll keep the the subcommittee updated in the next meeting,
014too, because I will hopefully have some updates on like medical and a couple of the other ones. Um, and then we'll do that first projection and then um we'll work on a a more updated one as the year goes on. >> Dr. Are you hearing anything that we should kind of be thinking about like through your network with superintendent as far as areas that might um be changed in terms of in terms of funding or anything along those lines? >> Nothing that's like uh like been confirmed. Okay. I think there's a natural concern um in general for the title funds. Um and certainly we get quite a bit. Um we had a reduction about 100,000 from last year. This year some of that was anticipated but even though we budgeted >> y um it was
015still >> 40,000 or was it 60,000? >> 60 right? >> 60,000 less than what we like we budgeted for a $40,000 reduction ended up uh being 100. Um so we uh still um still not um uh budgeted that reduction um enough. Um but that continues to be something that we monitor. >> Thank you Ryan. One of the things at one of the workshops um that I attended at at the conference they made mention of um reduction in Medicaid's associated impact on school financing. Would that I thought they said a year from now. Is that correct? Medicaid for >> will somehow impact our schools. >> I have not heard anything, but I can definitely I can throw that in like my Caspo chat and see if anyone's got any updates on that. Um it's definitely possible.
016I haven't I haven't seen anything. >> Yeah. Right. >> Our Medicaid reimbursement is um um essentially like it comes through as far as uh special education. Um I will say um Connecticut as far as that reimbursement is already lower um than other states in the sense that they have multiple like groups that essentially have a percentage that they take from before it comes um back to uh the school district for reimbursement. So I know like in Massachusetts um um uh like they have a higher reimbursement because there's less less groups um taking from the pie so to speak. Okay, >> I just had made that note. Um, one of the speakers had said Sophie needs that. >> Definitely. >> Any other financial related questions? >> Thank you, Ryan. Next is the personnel report and there's
017um >> on page 37 >> pages well page and a half. Does anybody have any comments or questions on any of the appointments, transfers, resignations, coaching? Do we have another math teacher who administer Elliot? Mr. Iber. Um we have two um in the interview uh phase. I believe one was uh brought forward today uh or I I believe has to come in a final interview with myself. Not 100% sure where we are with reference checks, but we did have two uh qualified people apply and interview for the position. Does it become easier with some of these positions, Patrick, or is it still difficult? >> Um, I'll be I mean to be completely honest was a little surprised that we had two qualified candidates applied for that. That has not been in the past. We have
018been seeing slight improvements. I >> I think where you see the difference still is >> um um at the end of the day still two qualified applicants. Um, special ed is still especially like the specialty areas within special ed like uh related services like OTP, speech and language. Um, those can be a little school sites those can be a little bit more challenging to fill. >> Um, we have seen an uptick in um our uh application pool of late like we had a late uh resignation for elementary school teacher August. Um typically that would be a thin pool but we had over 30 applicants. >> So so we are seeing upwards. >> Yeah. >> Um whereas I mean you still hear of larger school districts that have >> 100 um opening uh um unfilled certified
019u positions. So we've been doing a really uh good job as far as being a desirable um uh place. Uh but that being said, you do see more movement um uh for all districts. Um >> it's a very competitive market for teachers. >> Thank you. >> Physical therapist. >> Yes. >> We only have one in the district doing uh part-time too. Um so it's uh it's a based on student need. It's uh to fulfill um hours and IEPs uh for students with special needs. Um so typically the amount of ser direct service time equates to one and a half to two hour uh sorry one and a half to two days. Um >> will will we be able to fill that before January or do can we >> uh right now um what we're most
020likely pursuing as a contract to service while we continue to find um uh someone uh that uh would like to work part-time >> the part-time issue. >> I'm not sure. I mean it's a it's a very thin app um applicant pool. very few districts have um a need for a full um full >> full-time. What you see more is uh um uh you may see like one PT that's shared between two or three school districts. Um that's what we had for years for 20 plus years uh prior to um uh most recently in the last year. >> There is someone we can contract. So >> there is yes um it is an increased cost. So like we do have to find the money um but uh the students will get their mandated services >> not
021paying physical therapist for here shouldn't be should there be an offset >> the because essentially you have the contracted service like they have there and then you have like essentially the agency gets their cut. um it tends to be higher than that person's salary because you're basically paying both, >> right? So, but there'll be it's it's more but it's >> correct. There is an offset. Correct. Because you don't have the salary any longer. You are correct. So, it's not that makes sense more than what was originally budgeted. Right. Thank you. >> You're welcome. No other comments questions? Let's hear it. Okay, we'll move on to new business. First order of business under new business is the policy for filling the vacancy on the board. As everybody on the board is aware, there are two vacancies.
022This is the board's policy and Jessica, you put this together or Patrick, you put this together. So, uh um Jess Jessica certainly deserves the credit. Um as you can see, um on page, it's page 41 in your packet, it does say draft, um as part of the selection. >> Certainly, we if the board um um is agreeable, uh we can put that out um in a message to families. We can post on social media. we can share with um um like these ones are uh chamber of commerce like we can get out to other outlets >> um to try to uh advertise it. Um >> should we change the date to 2025? Are we trying to fill it by the >> Yeah, that's a very good should ideal. It's not doable. Could I ask if
023it's possible to find a different picture so that I don't look quite >> Yeah, I look >> if you find a picture where Heather looks goofy and I look okay, go ahead. >> Yeah, I guess uh the um so certainly we can um we'll uh correct the typo. We can change out the picture as far as the the information itself. Are you comfortable with that? Are you comfortable? I believe in the past when there's been a vacancy um interested candidates have submitted a resume um and so if the board is comfortable those can go um be sent to Jessica and then they can be included as far as the um would you want them invited to like the very next board meeting? Would you want to look at the resumes first and then bring it?
024How would you want to go uh go about it? And with that being said, I did have someone email me today. um good inquiring with interests as far as finding more information out. I knew we were having uh this was a discussions um point. So my intent is to follow up with that individual uh following tonight's meeting. >> I know I had to when one of the times I had to answer just a few questions that came too. So I I you know in terms of I don't think we need a big application but at least you know I think um asking like two you know three or four questions um might be a good starting point for people and and different the other thing that I'm I'm so I would be in favor of
025that but the other thing I have a question is two elected vacancy positions is that wording does that make it seem like I just have a question about that. So, does it make it sound like we're holding another election? Yeah. I don't want to be misleading. >> We can just uh change it to two uh >> vacancy possessions. Yeah. >> Um before we answer your question, Pat, I also just wanted to make another suggestion with the wording. Um was it a member of the Republican party or unaffiliated? Can we edit that to say member of the Republican party, any third party or unaffiliated just to make it a little bit more inclusive? I think if um if we're going to stay with that wording, we need to wait for clarification on the issue about um
026minority representation because there's a very changed parties in the middle of a year in the middle of her term and there's some secretary of state thing that she may be considered a Republican for minority representation. I don't understand it. Um Patrick, you've asked for a legal opinion on that. >> I did. So, um um so, um it was shared with me that um uh the town clerk had origin uh had indicated that um uh one seat um I believe was uh um reserved for um Democrat um slash unaffiliated and Republican unaffiliated and rec and recognizing uh that Carrie um who originally had a Republican um seat but then changed affiliation um about a year in. Now, I did reach out to the office of um the state secretary. Um uh the answer I have my
027own interpretation of it, but I say it was a little bit confusing. I will say I got it after um the packet went out. So I can include that uh her um uh I can include my original question along with um her responses. Um um in one breath in the response uh she had indicated that if um Allessie was uh unless they changed within the last 3 months they would hold the seat of their current uh party. So, in this case, if she's part of the Democratic party, that would be um uh a Democratic seat. But then later in the email, she said, "Your board is um currently a 52," which seemed to be in contrary to what she said um um there. And then it did say you should um consult like your your
028um town charter uh town attorney. So, um there is no um the town charter silent. Um when I spoke with uh Chris Chenny uh she indicated legislation is um like a maximum. Don't think of it as like a minimum of seats. It's a maximum. So it's a maximum of six seats per party. Um um Chris changed the interpretation is that um since Carrie changed um a year ago, that's well beyond uh um the three months. So it would be essentially our board is at its capacity or maximum uh six seats. Uh that being said because uh the um uh the person um the elections officer um indicated to check with the town attorney um and specified town attorney um and start originated from the town. I thought it was important that the town weigh in
029too for clarity and transparency. So I did reach out to the first selectman and um uh forwarded the email and said uh can you get an interpretation um um he did ask what our attorney um interpretation is and I I he asked this today so I have not shared that. So >> no one wants to be the one that says this is it. >> Yeah. I will say so originally the the election officer did not answer the email. Jessica called and her response was um oh no one's gotten back to you yet. >> I figured I was hoping someone else would answer that. >> Um so >> good response. >> Secretary of State does not give legal opinions anyway. No, >> they just don't. That's policy. So, we did get one from from our board.
030Um because she specified town at um attorney and not board attorney, I thought it warranted um a reference the charter even though our interpretation of the charter is that it's silent on it. Um it just made sense. >> Maybe if we get our attorney and the town's attorney to say the same thing, at least say, "Okay, well, let's go down that path." So until >> we get clarification on that, we can't really put a member of the Republican party or unaffiliated. >> Yeah. I I guess my question is as soon as we do get clarification, is the group comfortable putting something out following that or would you want it to come back to the board? >> That's the law. I mean, >> well, I think it's a good it's really a good idea that it
031goes out. Number one, we have to fill those. we have to fill those up those vacancies and um you know if if we get um clarification on it and we're kind of you know and we're certainly revising this so Fran you don't really want your picture on here I'm kidding yeah no yeah because you know if there was if there was a spa it might be even you know what our goals are over our goals of you know so that I don't know whether that's too much information and that scares it scares people away but I >> yeah we don't need to be scared with this >> yeah I agree >> I agree but I'm fine if you get clarification on I I feel it's important to get it out as soon as we can
032the same way >> yeah what do you think I do >> so as soon as I get clarification we'll get it out I'll obviously I'll inform the board as well >> so I would Can you go back to the first part, the policy part? >> Um, there's some confusion within the time, not there's some confusion within the time frame that we have to fill the position. There's some people who look at it and say, "Okay, you have 30 days to fill it, and if you don't fill it, it goes back to the board of selectment and they have to fill it." But there's a counter to that that says no that's for municipal boards and boards of education are not municipal boards. >> That is actually correct. So the board of ed are state boards.
033They go under the state board of education. >> Under three here three on the page. What it says our responsibility is to at our next meeting which would be this meeting is to set a schedule. So can should we set a schedule that we have these schemes and we are going to have this taken care of by >> January 31st or February 28 15th or something good >> so that there's no misperception that we're sitting then not doing anything. Um, I just think it's going to take time for people to to be able to send in if they're interested. Then we have to gather it. We have to get together, figure out, are we going to have everybody call at the same time? Are we going to do with the holidays? How do how do
034we do this? But I think it's important to set a time frame. >> What happens if we don't get enough applications between now and >> extend it? At least if you have some deadline. That was my question. We still operate and and I my understanding is that we can still operate as a board. >> You can uh the quorum is now four though. >> Okay. But so our policy says that tonight we will set a schedule. So I think we should set a >> You have a proposal? Well, I was just thinking the end of February just because that gives us gives us two months from when this deadline is to submit so that if we do have to extend it because we didn't get anything or or we could always shorten it up too.
035If we get a lot of stuff in, we can wrap it up in January. We can shorten it up. But >> at least we put out there that we're working on it that we have a schedule. But do we want to, you know, in instead of just putting like a month down because this is going to be policy. So instead of putting a month down, do we want to put like a amount of days down? >> No, that's not we're not changing the policy. >> Oh, we're just talking. >> So for the deadline, if the deadline to submit would be end of February, >> would we interview any people that submitted before then or would we wait until after that deadline? We could >> I think our deadline is 31st to make a decision. >>
036Oh, so you're saying to >> So for for us to >> get them all in, interview them, do all of that. >> Um I I'll just say in the past what you have done is done as a rolling. So like if someone like um because a lot of times um you have someone that um is interested, they uh express interest. You may not have like two or three people simultaneously. Um it may be months before you have a second or third um uh person. >> Oh no, we're going to have nine people are going to send it in. >> I want to drink your water. >> It's like a proposal. And I propose that we have the deadline be by December 31st and then we will have action by the end of February. So, so
037the deadline for submitting submitting the application would be December 31st, 2025 and then >> I don't know how February would be complete and in between there we we'd have whatever we need to do as far as interviewing. Does the schedule have to be that specific? >> I'm a little concerned about the December 31st deadline only because of the holidays and stuff. People may not even pay attention to it until Would January 15th be a better >> How many meetings do we have between now and >> you only have one in December? Um, we would have two in January. I'm just looking at the dates. January 15th sounds. >> January 15th sounds doable then if we have have it in for the first and then have a chance to look at stuff. Okay. So, January >>
03815, >> 202. >> You were right, Jessica. We are doing 20. >> Yeah, that's where I got all >> three meetings to if we do January 15th and February 28th. We have three meetings in between there to deal with >> anybody process. >> Yeah. So, what January 15th is the deadline for applications? Am I understanding? Yeah. Okay. And then February what? >> 28 27. >> So the 28th is a Saturday. So, do we want the 27th would be the Friday, the last Friday in February. Is that all right? >> So, just that would be February 27th. >> Okay. We could always >> We have no applic. >> We have nine applications. Fran, >> when we have the nine applications, >> one who's watching is all funny. >> They can tell. >> I don't do we
039need motion. >> Yes. Thanks. Um, so I will making a motion to schedule the billing of the two board of education vacancies to a deadlines for submissions of interest to January 15th of 2025. 26th >> 26th and the deadline for the board of education to either take action or amend the dates by February 27th, >> 2026. >> There's made by Daren. Is there a second? I have a second. Seconded by Betsy. Any discussion? Any more discussion? All those in favor? I >> opposed abstensions. Motion is carried. >> Patrick, this um notice of these usually also goes to the heads of each political party because they sometimes have a pool of people that they might be able to >> Yeah. Well, you never know. >> Yeah. So, one such I can connect with you as far
040as who wish to spot. >> Okay. Are there any other questions or concerns or comments on the filling of the Akinson's? >> So, I just have one question as far as filling. So, um, some somebody is going to kind of do some kind of an application and will we have so that we're having them >> do we have an application? >> No, it says send words, but I thought we were also talking about an application. >> We're going to do questions. I thought >> when we interviewed >> Yeah. All right. I if they send a resume then >> what else would we have on a an application that >> that we think the only other thing you could say like letter of interest like so you can learn why they're interested >> it gives you
041a head on there >> you've already got that email your resume >> okay fine I'm fine with that and then just I would suggest that we have some kind of a rubric as far as then the questions that were asked as far as just so that we know you know when we're doing it with the with the nine people that are applying um brand that we have we have an aggregated number in the end >> so the nine for you and nine for >> 18 good to go where have a cookie said and >> yeah, if by chance you know of any superintendent who dealt with this, I know there's been a couple school districts going through it. Um if there's anybody you know of who maybe can who's done some kind of questions types
042of questions, maybe it was able to give that. Yeah, I can um we can get um sample processes other districts have used. >> Ke has questions for the country because I remember I remember I used that um when Democrats were looking for somebody to fill a vacancy. I don't remember which one. Okay, on to the next item which is Jessica. I love your subcommittee list. I have a spreadsheet. I love it. The way it went drove me crazy. And when I saw this, I said, I love Jessica because this is exactly what I envisioned was on it tonight. Um so you see the subcommittee assignments um listed um with who's on them now with if if four is the majority right now that means we only should have three on any of these committees so
043that we don't have a quorum. Um, okay. >> So, that means for board policy review, >> you don't need me as an alternate. >> Oh, there you go. That's an alternate position, but as an alternate, that's all right, I suppose. You know, >> yeah, I think you're okay. It might be wise to have alternates on all of them in case because we only have seven of us that if someone can't make it to a meeting, maybe somebody else can fill in. >> Is there a minimum you have to have? I think >> I would say two. >> Yeah. Um and I would say uh curriculum you would have to designate one of the four probably to be alternate. I can I can become an alternate. >> Um, wait, Courtney, if you're doing alternate for that
044one, too, would you prefer to flip-flop with BPR? >> Is that where is BPR anywhere? >> The very top. Okay. Yeah. So, so you're saying >> so like maybe an alternate PR um or alternate for curriculum for curriculum. It's okay if you don't want to >> curriculum. >> Oh. Oh, >> but are you saying that I would then become part of be on board policy? >> Yeah. >> Would be easier. >> No, I'm I'm I do not want to become BPR fulltime. >> Okay. Gabby, would it be easier if you you were the alternate or so that it saves your time so you're not full-time on two? >> Um, the alternate on curriculum. I kind of like curriculum, but >> Well, we could check with Carrie. >> I mean, I I I'll be I don't
045mind becoming older as well. >> Oh, new members, too. So, >> well, once you have new members, you could go back. >> Yeah. >> Well, Denise technically is >> I should not be on any subies. >> I think technically the chair is >> is there for everything. >> I know that's why we don't have anything. >> We at this point considering that we are short staffed just sort of look away from that at the moment. >> Considering the number of times these would niche before we hopefully get 18 applicants. >> That works for me. >> Yeah. You could I mean you could table it um until uh everything. I would just say if curriculum's meeting Darl can put it out to all four and everyone will need to reply who's going to be attendance >>
046the time being. So we're not stopping what we have. >> We just have to make sure it's only three of you. >> Yeah. Yeah. make sure the time. Yeah. >> And if all four did show up, would have to sit as part of the public and not the decision making. >> They could still attend as public. >> Yeah. I mean, full transparency, I have to start working quite a bit more. So, I'm trying to almost recuse myself from some of >> That's okay. I was just trying to make it a little more fair if you wanted. >> No, I appreciate it. That's fine because I know that I'm going to have to be working more. So instead of me being like I can't be at this meeting just be the alternate. >> Oh Courtney you
047want me to do the board of selectment leaison? No, that one actually that one I'm a fan of >> Patrick. I thought it was on I thought it was on Family Resource Center, but I don't you know they I would be >> well the the reason is they don't have an existing board >> as we move forward as we move forward in doing So >> to think about nurse negotiations because that's coming up in spring. Yeah, that's not far away. That's the only one that's >> No, we did a one-year extension um because uh um you had a couple retirements. Uh they they were abs and they were their union leadership. So in the absence of union leadership, uh we negotiate with their union a one-year extension. It also sort of spread it out a
048little so there aren't as many all at once. >> Um that typically starts in uh I would say March um at the earliest. Um so I mean we could always come back to that too. >> Yeah. And these are a little different because they're time limited right so that you just you know you're there once it's done. I can do the board finance leazison there. >> What do you do about the finance committee and the facilities committee that I'm on? >> Can I can I stay on? >> We're just ignoring you. >> Okay. Gavl, wasn't he? I I can't come to me even. >> Okay. I'm okay with >> So, if we leave them all, the only one is the curriculum committee that's got just one of the people. Courtney, is the athletic council still
049waiting for you morning? >> Yeah, because if it's in the morning like that, that's Yeah, that's fine. I can do the board of finance lesson. I'm >> really as liazison. You only need one, don't you? Why do we have to back up? Maybe I don't know. We had two and then Heather was the only one who did it last time. >> Gabby and I used to alternate in the beginning first and third I think. Right. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I didn't >> Patrick, what are we negotiating with the cafeteria negotiations? Is that with the company? That was before. Uh we still have so the way that contract uh reads is um through attrition um Winson's absorbs uh those employees but we still have Ryan how many are still our employees >> like two or three
050is not that many right >> three I want to say like two out of the three are like scheduled to retire in the next two to three years so and at some point it'll be fully outsourced Okay. >> So, that would be a good one to get on. >> we just we just did a contract with them though. That one's not do. I And I would there's a good strong possibility. I mean, maybe to your point that by the time we go to negotiation, there is it no longer exists. >> We just revisit this February 15th. Yeah. Okay. The end of February 27 then do we want to table it to our second meeting in February? >> Well, I we've made a few adjustments. So, but yeah, go revisit that second meeting. Right. Any other
051discussion on that subcommittee assignments? Okay. New business to wave the policy for purchasing procedures pertaining to securing referendum communication services. Patrick, >> sure. I can speak to this a little bit. Um uh this group met with the Don and uh group um uh following our policy, you typically do need three quotes um based on uh the price of the contract. Um I can tell you just based on this very unique need, it's very challenging to find three quotes. Um I will say that Don Group only works uh with uh K through 12 education. Certainly they're very qualified. They came recommended by CAPS. Um they also are used by CAPS for their crisis communication. Um they did put in um and we did um um obtain three quotes or proposals for our strategic plan um which
052I know that we are postponing a year but at that time when we were collecting uh the the quotes they did put a quote they were the lowest of those three quotes in comparison and were were uh lowered by the next by u 5,000 >> for the strategic plan as well. >> Yep. they put uh um so I had spoken to them about both needs um and they um and I did have three quotes for this strategic plan >> because they want to break into Connecticut. >> They do um um and uh I think that came across when we met with them. So I think that works to our advantage um and certainly they are um uh qualified. >> So what is the quote for then? Uh for the uh >> communication first I think
053>> just communication. >> You mean for the referendum support? Uh it ranges somewhere between 20 and 25 with a cap at 25. >> Okay. >> Um part of that has to uh um it fluctuates based on um because we're giving a tenative um we're giving a range of a possible referendum date. Could be September, could be November. Um so part of that is based on >> Sure. And you'll get you'll get kind of a scope of services in terms of what they will provide, right? And the time he talked about timeline which is really good, but also the scope of services. So we know absolutely positively what we can >> um expect and anticipate from them. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah. It's like a retainer model too and that you're it's broken down monthly. Okay. >>
054Um so um so you have flexibility as well. >> Thank you. That's motion. Sure. I make a motion soon to wave any requirements for um we have a policy number. >> Yes. >> Yeah. 3050. >> Oh. Oh. for policy 3050 for the securing of the referendum communications specialist or the facilities study. >> What is their name? Donna wasn't >> that cover. >> Motion made by Narin. >> Is there a second? >> Seconded by Fran. Any further discussion, questions, comments? All those in favor? >> I opposed, abstensions. Okay. Next, we have liaison and subcommittee reports. Anybody No. Courtney, no. >> No. I mean, I went to the board of salatin meeting. They did uh sign someone I think to be part of the nursing negotiations. >> That for pension or was it for negotiations? >> They
055did both. >> And they had something to do with because do they have nurses over town? >> No. Typically they want to sign it's usually certified staff only. Um, but I I thought maybe it's pension related. Um, >> there's an issue with the pension >> because the nurses were unaffiliated because they weren't unionized since they shifted. >> And so uh so technically um um they they don't have anything in place. They still are contributing but >> as uh because now they're a union um um they would have to specify it. So I'm wondering if it had to do specifically with pension. >> So I serve on the juvenile review board. I'm appointed but I'm not quite sure whether I'm a a community member or representative of the board in terms of but they meet um
056they meet on a um an as needed but typically uh typically uh once a month basis and um you know it's a diversionary program for kids who um have the opportunity to um really kind of reflect and do some community service or other kinds of other kinds of u intervention kinds of programming so that they're not um referred to juvenile uh court and u we saw just recently we se we've seen two different uh young people um they had a meeting on Friday but we were at the conference on Friday so I know that Cheryl also sits on the juvenile review board um yeah so that's that are we supposed to have somebody from the board of ed represent. >> Uh no. So I I believe so um that originated because uh Betsy and her
057background obviously has a background in that area expressed interest um and so um um we did reach out but she's really serving as a community member >> because I was going to say should it be added to the Yeah. >> Yeah. No, I just you know just as Yeah. >> Thank you. Um Gab. >> Oh no, I'm just congratulating you don't have anything in or anything. >> No. Oh, other than PTO is still seeking help for their holiday store coming up. >> 9 December 91 >> 9 to 11 I think. >> 10 11 12 It's Thursday, Friday. It's Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of that week. Wherever the tenth falls, >> 10th through the 12th >> 10 through the 12. >> I ask if from a previous meeting, but has anyone's cuz Karen was talking about
058starting up the signup sheet. >> Oh, she she sent it to me. Oh, she sent it to Thank you. Um, I can report that um Betsy and I and Patrick, Daryl and Daryl went to the Cape Conference and um they had some pretty interesting seminars that that we all attended. Um, different we all split up all over the place. Um, one that they did have that I went to on Saturday was uh free of freedom of information and um one of the questions I asked is if we have new members come on board. We can we can actually interview them in executive session if we want. I would prefer doing that in open session. That's a you know for all of us to discuss. But we can have any discussions that we want to have
059about the candidates after we interview them. We can do that in executive session. So that was a a good little thing to to hear about. Um and once we have a full board, maybe we can have a um training. There's a >> new member training. Yeah. A new member training. Um there was also mentioned that and we are all aware but it's in the back of our heads I think that um there is mandate now that all board of ed members have to have um development training every year. Um it's a new requirement by uh that was passed by the legislature. I don't know what that means. >> You have received it. So like um uh there's a certain amount of like time um that goes um but everyone's spent in compliance with it because
060we've had Nick Caruso from Cape um uh come and deliver like training and professional development. So that does count uh towards it. He makes reference to it. Um um so certainly um when the like we have uh the two vacancies filled, we could bring him um back in and schedule something and discuss like what areas um you'd like him to like focus on. So that's always an option versus like doing it independently. And they have webinars that count towards that as well. >> The the cave conference, >> yep, that counts towards it. So, so there's you can do virtual, you can do in person. They do have them throughout the year. Everyone should be receiving like the mailings too. >> Yeah. So, cake. Yes. Yeah, we do get that. >> Um, and those have the
061training opportunities in them as well. >> There's the book. Is it >> all board members? >> It is. It's a yearly. It's yearly. >> Is there like a reporting platform that we have to show evidence that we would Yeah, like that might not >> I don't think so. They that um that's what they said was that there's no enforcement of it really, but we should be doing it. >> But um the the person from the Freedom of Information Commission could come out and that would be one for us too. So >> I think in here someplace I saw Oh yeah. So there's two I saw the free rep webinars too. So they're in uh December, let's say 26. So there's one in February. Oh, and it's in Jan. Oh, great. >> Sign us all up.
062>> I'm looking at these, too. There's one in in best practices for financial oversight. March. I mean those are things that that might be responsible to new members and there and there's zoom so you don't have to you know sol conference it was it was interesting um yeah I need to keep this going okay leazison and subcommittee no other reports anybody then we move on to our second public purchase participation public on Zoom. Would you like to now comment on anything? >> No, I'm good. Still just listening. Thank you. >> Okay. Miscellaneous. Do we have any miscellaneous? >> Actually, I have a question. So, I know this morning at the high school there's like construction going on. Was that for the uh all the erosion in the runoff? Is that what that's for? I was
063>> say that again. >> Uh at the high school there was um like a bunch of trucks and like construction. I wasn't sure what it was. I was just curious. >> For the runoff like Yeah. So to essentially support that so it doesn't continue to erode by the back fields. >> Yeah. >> So the high school backyard doesn't fall into the river. >> Actually science project on my freshman year. >> It was There you go. You were ahead of the game. Are you in the class of 2026? >> Yeah. >> Are you going to be coming in December um and asking us if we want to buy candy canes? >> Maybe. >> Please. >> Okay. You want me to? >> I do because I would like Yeah. I'd like to support the class of 2020.
064>> Give the board an opportunity to go >> like actual candy canes. the king. >> Well, I think that I'm not in student government, so but I can I'm sure I'll get a form or something through NHS or something. So, um Okay, next is the enrollment report. Any questions? >> The only thing I'll point out is there was an uh error the last uh one was corrected. So, it showed a greater uh discrepancy error um between this year's data and last year's data. So since that's been corrected uh that being said um um uh I will be bring comparison report probably sometime in January February as far as number of students uh report in magnet schools tech schools home school >> um I need a link there's a it's what it's called an R2 report
065um um which it's residency related and it um involves like uh students that are um identified as magnet, voag, tech, um anything related to school choice. Uh but there tends to be multiple errors when reporting residency. So we're going to wait till that report is actually closed out um to provide as accurate as possible data. So sometime in June, February, I'll have that. So Patrick, the in uh in November of this year, the prek is um 76 students. Is that because of choice or what does that represent or just because of the way we've had to uh you know kind of let me just take >> Yeah, it's on page 26. Sorry. >> Um or is that just because of the state? You know how we have it? Uh so um so preschool um not
066uh not many people uh I think uh it may uh it's not really advertised but preschool essentially is a special ed program. So by law you are mandated to provide um u services starting at the age of three if they're identified and qualified. um the most appropriate uh model the model that we use is the integrated model um of peers. I mean I have young kids they they want to invest from having a peer model versus adult model. So essentially we do have a number of seats allocated >> okay >> um uh for peers along with students that are identified through the special ed process. Um sometimes those seats are on hold because like you get early identification months in advance usually six months or more um that you may have a referral that reaches
067and this uh child of age two and a half may be eligible um at that time. So as time goes on if not all those um actually turn into actual referrals we open seats as the year goes on. So we'll have a waiting list and we'll say okay we're holding the spot but we no longer have to hold this spot and then we'll open it up for additional kind of >> correct. So >> and yeah do those referrals come from a birth to three program is there a birth to three program? >> There is a birth to three uh program but there's also like a a state portal so you can see students in the portal. You may not have their names, but you'll have their birth date >> and so you can start to
068track and see what's coming and where they are in the process. But typically there is a birth tree provider. Yeah. >> Um involved with the referral. >> Thank you again. >> Yeah, that's a good question. >> Um so before we adjourn, something that I have had thought about because as you're all aware, I had been asked about being sheriff. So I thought what what other things can I possibly bring to the table? And one of the things is at the end of a meeting I would like to just open it to any member giving us ideas of anything that you think would be something that we should put on a future agenda. So I mean if something comes up in the week and you got your agenda just scribble it down. I might make it
069a an agenda item um items for future agendas so that um it's not just built kind of what Patrick thinks or I think but um what all of us think. So just keep that in mind and going forward just scribble down something if you want and we'll talk about it at the end of the meeting as long as I remember that. Can you just go back to >> the um what's that >> the enrollment report? >> Oh, sure. I'm sorry. I thought you >> It's I was forming a thing and it it took a minute. Sorry. >> Um >> it looks like between last year and this year was at the M school. Yeah. And I'm wondering if um can we is it possible to take a deeper dive and to see what happened? Where
070do they go? Or >> we can I I mean I can tell you based on um it was uh the difference between um families moving out of district and families moving in. So we have more families move out uh than families move in. Uh that impacted uh uh the middle school the most. But um >> but we also saw it did bad the elementary too. >> Yeah. Yeah, I see that. But it was it's it's like if you compare November to November, it's the like the biggest is it's over 20 kids in the middle school or close to >> it's it typically is the middle school that you lose more, right? Anyway, >> that's middle school up until this year was holding pretty steady. Um >> yeah, I mean high school you because the kids
071can go to the Catholic schools, prep school, you know, whatever their parents think is the best place for them to go before they go to college. >> Yeah. Oh, but the question is like when do we start to see um like like where school choice is impacted? It typically starts around sixth grade. Um so um um but I don't think we had I mean we'll see the data uh shortly but um um I don't think there was any unusual like higher number at the middle school than any other year. >> I'd just be curious to see what such a tumultuous way. Yeah. That's all I have. >> So that's a good question and now I'm formulating something you might bring to that now that you kind of in terms of the in terms of choice
072students our choice students stay in our you know could we take a a little bit of a look at that. So we have 73 students right from the little thing on the bottom. 73 students um from the choice program. Oh that's 2024. How many do we have now? Do we know? >> It's roughly about the same. >> So, they're staying. >> They are. >> Once we get a choice, student, they stay. >> They don't. >> I mean, you have some that graduate and then obviously you have some that come in preschool. Um, we do see some in preschool like and we're aware. I mean, obviously it's a program. Yeah. >> Um, and um, you know, we we lose a couple. And I know that um your recommendation has been before that we really look at
073choice students like very early on and that we are taking siblings. >> Correct. >> Yep. >> But do we want to consider to our point of like middle school? Do we want to consider perhaps um uh looking at choice students for middle school? >> Yeah, I would advise against it. >> Yeah. um uh years ago we did that and um it ran into like challenges as far as integrating okay into and feeling a part of the community. >> Okay. >> Um >> All right. And that was the at the middle school. I always I always assumed it was the high school but it was middle school. >> Yeah. I will tell you we do take a look at ninth graders. Um um but this year uh we we contemplated uh but one of the things
074we also look at is you can uh see which students like or how many students I shouldn't say which because you don't know who they are um but you can see if they have identified you as the first second third I will tell you um >> um previously like we were getting students that were identifying us as their fifth, sixth, seventh choice >> which you know >> wasn't wasn't really leading to like feeling good about coming in. Um, all the families that come in now, they identify us as their number one choice >> really. >> And so, uh, um, and we take that in consideration and much more success, um, transitioning to that. Now, we have to work a lot harder with our marketing and affairs and Cheryl really deserves a lot of credit with
075uh, with that. Um but like this past year we looked and uh we contemplated and um uh like students had indicated like uh our families three and we said no like like we want we want families and students that really want to be here. >> Yeah. >> And so like we do take that into consideration. >> Okay. Because I'm just saying like even high school like the you know my understanding is the automotive department is really something that you know that's kind of special. That's what that's what I'm hearing at the high school. So, if a student kind of identified as I think I actually heard a uh I was talking to a student the other day about, you know, about he was a middle school in East Windsor kind of up and down as
076far as his um as far as his um you know, absence rate, but he liked that. And you know that was one that was one of the things you can say hang on go to school in middle school because if you're once you get into the high school you know the we have a really good automotive program and you can be involved in that. So if there's kind of a niche kind of a program I'm just I'm just thinking about how we kind of get our numbers up a little bit. I think no school construction could really I mean when you have buildings that are 70 years old it is challenging especially when when uh surrounding school districts are building brand new construction everywhere. >> Shiny schools do make a difference >> and I mean
077our schools >> the the how the the special bill that they came out with included a 5% bump at school construction and it >> Yes. Yes. last week and then great >> extra five closer. >> Yeah, we get close to our 80%. >> 5% is 5%. >> Yeah, >> that was exciting. >> Right. Motion to adjourn will be in order. Make a motion to adjourn. Second that one made by Gabby. Second made by Betsy. All those in favor? Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone. >> Happy Thanksgiving everyone. You know I am